35 



HYBRID GROUSE. 



OXE of your correspondents (January 14th, 1865,) writing on this 

 subject, begins by stating that the "Rype" (which is what we 

 call the Willow Grouse) and our Red Grouse are the same species. 

 How is this ascertained ? Some time ago, I think, I read in 

 your paper that some one had tried to introduce the Red Grouse 

 into either Sweden or Norway, and I have been expecting to see 

 a notice of the failure or success of the experiment, as I expected 

 to be able to come to some conclusion from the results. Now, 

 it would be a most interesting fact to ascertain if these local va- 

 rieties or species, or whatever they may be, will breed together ; 

 and, as communication is now easy between the two countries, 

 could and will not some extensive landed proprietor get over 

 some Willow Grouse and turn them adrift among the Red Grouse, 

 and see if they will breed with them, and produce fertile young ? 

 This would probably satisfactorily settle the question, and, if 

 they did breed, it would be quite curious to observe whether the 

 white wings of the Willow Grouse would continue, and the birds 

 get white in winter, or whether our climate would cause the 

 original local colour of the country (supposing the species were 

 the same) to prevail. If the Willow Grouse were brought over 

 and bred by themselves, it appears to me the species should be 

 considered distinct. 1 hate mongrels, and would never advocate 

 the mixture of different species, as I do not believe any good 

 results will ever be thus produced in animal life ; but proving 

 whether these two Grouse are the same species would go far to- 

 wards enabling naturalists to give an opinion on other species 

 which may be distinct, or which may be only local varieties, but 

 yet constant, from the fact of their never having the opportunity 

 of intermingling with each other. I am no believer in the dete- 

 rioration or improvement of species in a purely natural state. 

 The first bird "Scrutator" writes about, he says, was the weight, 

 size, and shape of a full-grown Black Cock. Now, if he were a 

 hybrid between the Red and Black Grouse, he ought to have 

 been about the size of a Grey Hen : the legs and feet of both 

 species are hairy. He does not mention the toes, which are hairy 



